Sports Briefs: ACC title game to be back on prime-time

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

ACC title game to be back on prime-time

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Atlantic Coast Conference's football championship game is moving back to prime-time television.

The ACC said yesterday this year's game will kick off at 8 p.m. on Dec. 5 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. ESPN will broadcast the game.

It's the first prime-time kickoff for the ACC title game since the inaugural contest in 2005. The game has started at 1 p.m. in each of the past three seasons. ABC televised the first four title games.

Virginia Tech is among the favorites to win the Coastal Division this season.

In other college football news:

• The University of Alabama plans to appeal a ruling by the NCAA Committee on Infractions that forced the football program to vacate 21 wins.

University president Robert Witt announced the decision yesterday, stating the university was disappointed with what he deemed "the excessiveness" of the penalties.

Alabama's football program and 15 other sports were placed on three years' probation after 201 athletes were found to have used their scholarships to get free textbooks for other students.

SOCCER

North Korea qualifies for Cup

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - North Korea qualified for its first World Cup since 1966, tying Saudi Arabia 0-0 to finish second in its Asian final-round group.

North Korea, which famously upset Italy at the 1966 tournament in England, became the sixth team in next year's 32-nation field, joining host South Africa, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and South Korea.

NHL

Laing re-signs with Capitals

ARLINGTON - Left wing Quintin Laing has re-signed with the Washington Capitals.

Laing signed a one-year contract after playing in only one game with Washington last season. He tore his spleen in his only appearance after being recalled from the AHL's Hershey Bears.

Laing has one goal and six assists in 43 career NHL games.

NFL

Former QB Leaf facing charges

DALLAS - Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf was in custody in Washington on drug and burglary charges out of Texas after being arrested by customs agents as he returned to the United States from Canada.

Bill Kelly, Leaf's attorney, said his client was returning to Texas to turn himself in by today's deadline.

The ex-Washington State University and San Diego Chargers quarterback is charged with burglary to a habitation, a second-degree felony. Leaf also was indicted on seven counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and one count of delivery of a simulated controlled substance.

CYCLING

Albasini wins 5th stage of Tour

SERFAUS, Austria - Michael Albasini won a sprint finish in the fifth stage of the Tour of Switzerland, while Slovenia's Tadej Valjavec retained the leader's yellow jersey.

Albasini edged fellow Swiss Fabian Cancellara into second place, while Damiano Cunego of Italy was third and Olivier Zaugg fourth. All timed 5 hours, 24 minutes, 4 seconds on the 125.5-mile stage into neighboring Austria.

In other cycling news:

• Five cyclists face doping charges based on suspicious test results gathered in a pioneering blood profiling system.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) said it wants disciplinary cases opened against three Spaniards - Igor Astarloa, Ruben Lobato and Ricardo Serrano - and Italians Pietro Caucchioli and Francesco De Bonis.

They are the first riders facing charges based on evidence provided by the biological passport system that was launched 18 months ago by the UCI and World Anti-Doping Agency.

ELSEWHERE

• Olympic champion and world-record holder Usain Bolt ran the 100 meters in 9.77 seconds, helped along by a strong tailwind to easily win the Golden Spike meet. Bolt cruised to victory ahead Britain's Craig Pickering, who finished in 10.08. Ronald Pogon of France was third in 10.17.

• The four cities bidding for the 2016 Olympics took their case directly to the voters, stressing the backing of their government leaders and promising financial security for their multi-billion-dollar projects. Chicago, Tokyo, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro made formal presentations to members of the IOC in a crucial test before the final vote in Copenhagen on Oct. 2.

  AROUND THE STATE

• Former Longwood baseball standout Paul Heidler II signed a non-drafted free agent contract with the New York Yankees and has reported to the team's minor league complex in Tampa, Florida. The Warrenton native and right-hander finished the last season with the Lancers with a 4-1 record and a 4.89 ERA.

• U.Va. incoming golfer Brittany Altomare has qualified for the U.S. Women's Open after winning the sectional qualifying tournament held in Neshanic Station, N.J., on Monday. She shot rounds of 75 and 71 to finish at 2-over 146 in the tourney, and will compete in the Open July 9-12 in Bethlehem, Pa.

Former U.Va. tennis player Somdev Devvarman will make his Grand Slam debut next week after qualifying for the doubles main draw at Wimbledon. Devvarman teamed with Kevin Anderson to win two matches and advance to the main draw field of 64.